National
Biological Service NBS
A federal bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior. The mission
of NBS is "to provide, with others, the scientific understanding
and technologies needed to manage the Nation's biological resources."

National Environmental Policy Act NEPA
A federal law passed in 1990 that promotes efforts to prevent or eliminate damage
to the environment and biosphere and stimulates the health
and welfare of people. It established a Council on Environmental Quality. It is
comprised of two Titles: Title I - Declaration of National Environmental Policy;
Title II - Council on Environmental Quality (42 U.S.C. 4321-4347).

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA
A federal agency, NOAA's mandate is to conserve and manage wisely the
nation's coastal and marine resources, and describe and predict changes
in the Earth's environment to ensure sustainable economic opportunities.
NOAA administers the National Sea Grant College Program,
National Underseas Research Program, National Marine Fisheries Service,
National Coastal Resources Research and Development Institute, National
Weather Service, and others.

Naturalized Species An intentionally or unintentionally
introduced species that has adapted to and reproduces successfully in its new
environment. Some Great Lakes examples include the rainbow
smelt, the alewife, and some salmon and trout species.

Navigable
Waters Navigable waters of the United States are waters subject to
the ebb and flow of the tide and/or used to transport interstate or foreign commerce.
A determination of navigability, once made, applies over the entire surface of
the waterbody, and is not changed by later actions or events which impede or destroy
navigable capacity. Also referred to as Waters of the U.S.
Related Programs - 33 CFR

Neurotoxin
A substance that is known or suspected to be poisonous to nerve tissue.

No Net Loss
A federal and Minnesota state policy to achieve no overall net loss of
the nation's remaining wetlands base as defined
by acreage and function and to restore and create wetlands
where feasible, to increase the quality and quantity of the nation's wetland
resource base. Related Programs - Wetland Conservation
Act, Section 404.

North Shore Management Plan NSMP A Minnesota plan for the environmental protection and orderly growth
of the North Shore of Lake Superior developed by the residents
of the area. Consists of several planning elements, each dealing with an area
needing special attention such as shoreland management, harbors of refuge, transportation,
recreation, tourism, and economic development.